New York State Bridge Authority Facility Vulnerability Assessment

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Overview

Six major Hudson River bridges carry the weight of over 58 million crossings a year. Safely and efficiently managing, maintaining and operating those structures is no less a burden. It requires dedication, perseverance and foresight. That responsibility belongs to the New York State Bridge Authority, and it’s a task brought into greater focus as a result of 9/11. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, maintaining public confidence in the safety of those bridges has become a top priority. To assure a high level of bridge safety, the Authority authorized a detailed assessment to identify and address the bridges’ vulnerabilities to terrorist attack.

Due to the confidential nature of this undertaking, the New York State Bridge Authority needed the help of a trusted consultant with a demonstrated level of integrity. They chose Modjeski and Masters. With our decades-long relationship with the New York State Bridge Authority, and our recent participation on the FHWA/AASHTO Blue Ribbon Panel on Bridge and Tunnel Security, we were the ideal partner.

Utilizing the latest research from AASHTO and the FHWA, we implemented a collaborative multi-disciplined and phased approach. The first phase included assembling an assessment team, developing and performing team training exercises, making contacts with external organizations, and collecting appropriate asset information. Next, we led the team in conducting the vulnerability assessment by identifying critical assets, assessing vulnerabilities, and assessing consequences. Lastly, we identified countermeasures and their estimated costs. Like other agencies, the New York State Bridge Authority had already developed operational security measures associated with each of the color-coded alert levels established by the Department of Homeland Security. The findings of this assessment will strengthen the processes, procedures and operational security measures already in place.

Our relationship with the New York State Bridge Authority had its genesis in the mid-1920s, with the design of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. Since then, we have led the design of two more of their major bridges: the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, in the 1960s; and its twin, in the 1980s. 80 years later, we are still providing engineering services, including bridge inspections, design of miscellaneous repairs, oversight of construction, and general input into the continued safe maintenance and operation of their facility.

Description

Tasks Performed

Bridge Security

Bridge Geometry - Mid-Hudson Bridge

Length of Main Span – 1,500 feet

Total Project Length – 3,000 feet

Lanes on Structure – three lanes plus a pedestrian walkway

Bridge Geometry - Bear Mountain Bridge

Length of Main Span – 1,632 feet

Total Project Length – 2,225 feet

Lanes on Structure – 2 lanes plus pedestrian walkways on both sides

Bridge Geometry - Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge

Length of Main Span – 800 feet

Total Project Length – 7,793 feet

Lanes on Structure – two lanes

Bridge Geometry - Rip Van Winkle Bridge

Length of Main Span – 800 feet

Total Project Length – 5,040 feet

Lanes on Structure – two lanes plus a pedestrian walkway

Bridge Geometry - Newburgh-Beacon Bridge – South Span

Length of Main Span – 1,000 feet

Total Project Length – 7,789 feet

Lanes on Structure – three lanes

Bridge Geometry - Newburgh-Beacon Bridge – North Span

Length of Main Span – 1,000 feet

Total Project Length – 7,855 feet

Lanes on Structure – three lanes

Testimonial

“…As General Consultant to the New York State Bridge Authority for the last 30 years, your insight and effective investigations have greatly assisted us…” - William J. Moreau, Chief Engineer, New York State Bridge Authority